Jane M. Ebben, 67 of Columbia, Missouri, died unexpectedly Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022. She worked at the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center for 35 years before retiring in July of 2021.
She was born on June 29, 1955, in Neenah, Wisconsin, to Robert and Margaret (Sensenbrenner) Williams. She married her high school sweetheart, and together they relocated to the West Coast, living in Washington for 10 years before returning to Minnesota where they had their daughter, Kessa.
Ebben loved horses and attended school to become a veterinary technician. She began her career at the University of Minnesota, where she helped start the neonatal foal unit. Six years later, she moved to Missouri and continued her career at Mizzou as a large animal medicine specialist. As section head, she was the go-to person on most equipment issues and many aspects of the biosecurity program. With equipment problems she would investigate the cause and research options for repair or replacement as necessary. From the biosecurity perspective, she would minimize risk factors while still providing efficient and client-friendly workups. She was passionate about the horses she cared for and was known for demonstrating compassion to both animals and their owners. When there was a loss of a beloved horse, Ebben would give the family a braided section of the tail as a keepsake.
She was a mentor to both colleagues and students. She was known for her sense of humor and ability to make friends and colleagues laugh. She welcomed many rescues throughout the years. She enjoyed taking her dogs for walks on the trail close to her house.
She leaves behind her daughter, Kessa (Michael), and grandsons Jeremiah and Malachi, sisters Anne (Bob) and Mary, sister-in-law, Lynne, brothers Chuck (Becky), Jim (Deb), and Bob (Lori), nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and her devoted pups.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, John.
Ebben will be missed by her many friends and family alike, especially her dear friend, Nellie. There will be a celebration of her life with the details to be determined.
The MU College of Veterinary Medicine is Missouri’s only institution that confers the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Thank you for exploring how you can partner with us to make a positive difference in the lives of animals and people.